Weekly Timepiece Talk-Up #25: Damaged coil spring in a Vedette clock mechanism
In our latest article, we aim to help you with a common concern when it comes to vintage clocks - finding the right suspension spring for your Vedette Westminster chime box clock.
If you own a 1930s vintage box clock made by Vedette of France, you might have encountered the issue of a missing or worn-out suspension spring. Fear not, as we've gathered some expert advice to help you source this specialized part.
Firstly, specialist clock parts suppliers are a great place to start. Companies like Timesavers, Merritt’s, or Ofrei are well-known US suppliers for antique and vintage clock parts, including suspension springs for mantel and wall clocks. Timesavers, in particular, is the biggest supplier for the pendulum spring of the Vedette Westminster chime box clock in the US. Merritt's is another reliable supplier for the pendulum spring of this clock.
Local or online clock repair services are another option. They often have stock or can source exact suspension springs for Vedette Westminster and similar clocks.
Online marketplaces such as eBay or Etsy sometimes have listings from sellers specializing in antique clock parts.
For those who are part of clock enthusiast communities, forums and collectors groups can provide leads on where to find or order Vedette suspension springs. The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) is a good example of such a community.
When searching, use keywords like “Vedette Westminster suspension spring,” “clock suspension spring,” or specify the movement model if known to improve sourcing accuracy.
If the exact spring is difficult to find, clock repair professionals can sometimes fabricate or modify a compatible suspension spring.
It's also worth noting that in Canada, the main supplier for the pendulum spring of the Vedette Westminster chime box clock is Perrin, located in Toronto.
If you're still having trouble finding the correct suspension spring, Ron, a clock expert, suggests measuring the total length, the length of the blocks, and the length of the steel band or bands between the blocks. These measurements can aid in the search for a replacement. Unfortunately, Ron's email address is not provided in this excerpt.
We hope this article provides a helpful guide in your search for the suspension spring for your Vedette Westminster chime box clock. Happy clock hunting!
In the quest for smart-home-devices and gadgets, technology has made it possible to automate vintage clocks like the Vedette Westminster chime box clock with compatible smart-home-devices.
While sourcing vintage clocks parts, timesavers and Merritt's, known for their antique and vintage clock parts supply, also offer suspension springs for the Vedette Westminster chime box clock.
